A Commission of Inquiry to investigate politically-motivated killings before and during the 2015 general elections in Rivers State will continue its sitting in Port Harcourt on Monday (today).
The Commission, instituted by Chibuike Amaechi, the Rivers State governor, is also investigating damage to properties and grievous bodily harms to persons ahead and during the polls in the state.
Headed by Chidi Odinkalu, the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, the panel adjourned sitting last Monday after listening to witnesses’ accounts of violence during the election.
“We had to adjourn to properly streamline people coming to testify, as we expect individuals, groups, as well as institutions like the Nigeria Police Force to appear before the panel,” Mr. Odinkalu, a Professor of Law, said.
Other members of the Commission include Ayo Obe, Nlerum Okogbule, Owunari Georgewill, Joy Ejiofor, Michael Akere, and Richard Ofuru.
Mcarthy Oriye, an Assistant Director at the state Ministry of Justice, is a Counsel to the Commission; while the Secretary is Samuel Egbe, Permanent Secretary, Policy/Strategy, Office of the Head of Service.
“And I further direct that the Chairman and any two Commissioners shall constitute a quorum and that the Commissioners shall hold the said Inquiry on such dates and at such places as the Chairman may determine,” Mr. Amaechi said.
“And I hereby require that the Commission shall submit its report and findings together with such recommendations, if any, to me not later that one month from the date of its first sitting or within such extended period as I may thereafter allow in writing.”
The Commission’s inaugural sitting held last Monday in Port Harcourt.
The panel’s terms of reference include to investigate and ascertain the number of persons injured or threatened with injury; ascertain properties destroyed, their owners and the value of such properties; identify person(s), groups or institutions who either by acts of omission and commission were directly and indirectly involved or sponsored the violence and killings.
Other terms of reference are to investigate any other matter(s) that may come to the knowledge of the Commission in the course of its deliberations; make recommendations regarding persons whom the Commission finds blame-worthy in connection with the violence; and other recommendations it may consider in view of its findings.